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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#4431531
07/30/13 03:17 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,586
ckat
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,586 |
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: ckat]
#4431553
07/30/13 03:25 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199
tth_40
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199 |
Trying a .243 this year for the first time.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: P & Y]
#4431557
07/30/13 03:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 788
TEXAN1970
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 788 |
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Beckett]
#4431575
07/30/13 03:31 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 543
Cannon
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 543 |
.243- but would use a 22-250 if in a pinch
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Cannon]
#4431587
07/30/13 03:37 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,675
Pitchfork Predator
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Posts: 19,675 |
Being that the question asked lightest I'd take to the deer stand, meaning any deer could be a possibility 270.
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Pitchfork Predator]
#4431614
07/30/13 03:48 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,550
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,550 |
17 Remington, 22 Hornet, 218Bee, 223, 25-20 have used them all and with correct shot placement the will work ever time just know your limitations and that of the equipment.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Pitchfork Predator]
#4431615
07/30/13 03:49 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496
Halfadozen
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496 |
I usually use a .270 or 30-30. But am heading out this year with a .243. Have heard great reports on Texas deer with this caliber. It will also be my predator gun though.
Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again. -- Ronald Reagan
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Pitchfork Predator]
#4431618
07/30/13 03:50 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407 |
Don't own anything that won't at least shoot 100gr'ers thru 160 gr'ers in either a 260 or 270, but 120 gr'ers is my self imposed minimum bullet weight and has been for a very long time....and I've not lost a WTail since I moved totally out of a 243 over 25 years ago.
Much better bullets today give a little fudge factor but it's still all about bullet placement IMO. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: P & Y]
#4431797
07/30/13 09:10 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 28
ryanharris
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 28 |
.223-caliber rifles are the smallest..
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: txtrophy85]
#4431857
07/30/13 11:39 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,136
Satch
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,136 |
I kill a lot of deer with a .22-250
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Beckett]
#4431892
07/30/13 12:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 385
redundeadd
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 385 |
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: redundeadd]
#4431907
07/30/13 12:16 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 513
outnumbered
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 513 |
any caliber giving 1000ft. lbs. energy at impact is a good bet
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: P & Y]
#4432099
07/30/13 01:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,034
TxYoteHunter
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,034 |
.243 has worked well for me.
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: outnumbered]
#4432165
07/30/13 02:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,107
catslayer
Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,107 |
I would have no problem using a .17 center(.17fireball right?) for doe. HOWEVER it isn't legal so any legal center fire I would totally use for doe and spike extraction. however for a buck I prefer at least my .243
Sombody smells like fried borritos...
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: WileyCoyote]
#4432203
07/30/13 02:13 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
Don't own anything that won't at least shoot 100gr'ers thru 160 gr'ers in either a 260 or 270, but 120 gr'ers is my self imposed minimum bullet weight and has been for a very long time....and I've not lost a WTail since I moved totally out of a 243 over 25 years ago.
Much better bullets today give a little fudge factor but it's still all about bullet placement IMO. Ron That's me. I won't argue with anyone using a .243. But I view with skepticism all those who profess the ability to neck/head shoot deer with the precision required for using an itty-bitty cartridge shooting an itty-bitty bullet-every time. I mean, does a .243 or a .260 really kick that hard?
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Beckett]
#4432206
07/30/13 02:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 331
Alta Loma
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 331 |
I've used smaller, but my .243 is my go to for managing practices. In the stand it's either 25.06 or 7 Mag.
Living the outdoor Lifestyle.
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: catslayer]
#4432216
07/30/13 02:19 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,000
Barcelona Rick
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,000 |
My son & grandson have a tack driving AR that seems to work well with 55 grain ammo....243 100 grain would be my smallest choice...worked with an old time Montana cowhand that had a '92 Winchester in 25-20 with the rear sight missing... he had killed mule deer using the old Winchester factory load....he killed East Texas Whitetail with it also....he just picked his shots very carefully....
rick
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Barcelona Rick]
#4432224
07/30/13 02:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,530
Hunt n Fish
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,530 |
My smallest in Texas - .223
HnF
"Prayer is when you talk to the Lord, Meditation is when you listen to what he says"
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Hunt n Fish]
#4432242
07/30/13 02:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,289
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,289 |
I have killed well over 100 deer with a 22-250. I've never had one get up from a head or neck shot.
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Barcelona Rick]
#4432246
07/30/13 02:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46,950
Gravytrain
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46,950 |
.223 but with very careful off the shelf ammo selection or handloads. I handload 65gr SGK's and 70gr speer sp's. I trust either handload to do the job at under 200y.
Upon us all, upon us all, a little rain must fall
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: Barcelona Rick]
#4432247
07/30/13 02:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 825
Spent Brass
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 825 |
I've taken several deer with .223 and .22-250, all were DRT with a high shoulder hit. These were targets of opportunity while predator hunting, now my daughters use my mini 14 or AR while deer hunting with 64gr. bullets. I prefer to use my tried and true .270, but will not hesitate with .223 if I can put meat in the freezer. Shot placement is key with any load.
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: catslayer]
#4432250
07/30/13 02:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,053
bo3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,053 |
I would have no problem using a .17 center(.17fireball right?) for doe. HOWEVER it isn't legal so any legal center fire I would totally use for doe and spike extraction. however for a buck I prefer at least my .243 A .17 fireball is legal. You just can not use rimfire.
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: bo3]
#4432275
07/30/13 02:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 971
P & Y
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 971 |
What bullets are yall shooting out of the 17 rems? The 25gr or are you stepping up the big 30gr pills? Lol
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: P & Y]
#4432292
07/30/13 02:42 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,262
RICK O'SHAY
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,262 |
I shot one with a 204 but that's probably the only one I'll shoot wit that gun/cal... I guess my answer should be 223/556
DISCLAIMER ATTENTION: Your decision should NEVER be based SOLELY upon my advice, recomendation, or opinion.
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Re: Smallest caliber you will hunt deer with...
[Re: RICK O'SHAY]
#4432336
07/30/13 02:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,453
aggiehunter03
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,453 |
After seeing what a 52 grain Berger did to a hog this weekend I won't hesitate to take my 22-250.
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